Properties of Yb-doped scintillators: YAG, YAP, LuAG

A big number of Yb:YAG samples is analyzed. Emission and transmittance spectra are measured. Light output and decay time vs. temperature are measured for charge transfer (CT) and IR scintillation. Light yield (LY) of the best laser crystals is by a factor 2.4 higher than the value measured for the samples of typical scintillator quality. A pulse shape dependence on e-beam energy density is observed for the IR scintillation. A new efficient Yb doped scintillator is found-Yb:YAP. CT scintillation in a high Z material Yb:LuAG is confirmed. A new scintillation material, potentially interesting for neutrino physics, is proposed: Yb doped garnet or perovskite containing indium in the host lattice. Some prospective research directions are indicated. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.